Windows Media Player 9 Error.

I have recently started to encounter a problem with WMP9 with CD Playback. I have a CD of MP3s which if left to run through from beginning to end will work, or indeed if running in shuffle mode it will also work.

However sometimes when I am surfing and click on a new webpage, WMP9 will stop, and the cursor will remain as the egg timer. The only course of action is to then do ctrl alt del - the systray appears and sure enough WMP shows as not responding. But clicking on it to shut down the process, and my desktop icons momentarily disappear, then restore.

Furthermore on some tracks, there is a pause then a dialog box appears with the message 'cyclical redundancy error'. And the track details in the right pane turn from green to red.

I have used Google to look this up and found references to same, indicating various possible causes and solutions - none of which applied in my case.

I have checked the CD for evidence of damage - none. Indeed as mentioned above it does play sometimes.

I have copied the contents of the CD to a new folder on my pc and all tracks playback from there without any problem.

I have done full scan disk, defrag, virus / trojan checks but cannot seem to rectify this problem.

Have also been using the Optical Drive itself without any difficulty so its not a loose cable or some such.

If anyone has any idea what would could be causing this I would welcome any feedback though its not a major problem as I can listen to my music via the above workarounds.

My specs :

Win XP SP1.

Athlon 2600.

512mb DDRam.

80GB Hard Disk.

Samsung 352B Combo DVD / CDRW.

350 Watt PSU.

Also have spent time reading this site for WMP9 problems :

http://www.nwlink.com/~zachd/pss/pss.html#assoc


I am not sure what would be the most useful course of action, I could try the WMP' Rollback' method, I could try a Restore Point, or at worst eiher junk the Samsung and get two separate Optical drives as they are cheap enough now.

Anyway any input most welcome, and thanks for taking the time to read.
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EDIT - I think that it is being caused by the Spin Up / Down times of the Combi Drive ....

The last time it happened about 15 mins ago, I clicked on a new web link as the CD was just starting, and the sound (faltered) momentarily but has since played without any problems. Presumably when I click to stop the CD to select another track, the Spin down time is too quick.

I never had this problem on my other comp. which is also an Athlon 2600 (but currently with a defunct mobo :rolleyes: ) on that machine I have a 16x LG DVD and separate Artec CDRW.

Would the answer be to get a second Optical Drive for this system ?

I don't know how old your combo drive is - but if it's a year or so old a cleaning might be in order. All the major store and computer outlets sell CD-ROM cleaning kits for about $10.00. Remember this is just a suggestion. Might not cure your problem-but it's a place to start.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. The pc is only about 3 months old. I'm going to add a second optical drive.